Groups meet to plan way forward for Niminjarra Road

Work has continued on the Niminjarra Highway project this year. A survey trip in August allowed the alignment changes at the top
and bottom end of the road to be surveyed and finalised, and a water study has confirmed the availability of water for construction along the route.
A milestone for the project was achieved in October 2008 with a one-day workshop (photos at right and below) held at the Pundulmurra College campus of Pilbara TAFE in South Hedland, which brought together all project participants for the first time.

Attendees included representatives from Pundulmurra TAFE, Martu, Pilbara Logistics, Pilbara Development Commission, WDLAC, ICC, DOIR, Job Futures, DEC, DIA, Ashburton CDEP, DEEWR and Newcrest.

The purpose of the workshop was to define the parameters for the training model, establish a project management group and develop action plans.
The work will now be progressed in two paths: the Department of Environment and Conservation will manage the road contracting aspects, while a working group led by Pundulmurra TAFE will develop the details on how the road can be built using trainees from the local communities.

The proposed road will link the Punmu and Parnngurr communities, and will reduce the current 7.5 hour 350-kilometre journey to a two-hour journey of about 125 kilometres.

The road will cross 83 sand-dunes on its path to link the two communities.